Art Ginsburg, ‘Mr. Food,’ dies at age 81

Art Ginsburg, who was known to TV viewers as Mr. Food, has died at the age of 81.

Ginsburg died at his Weston, Florida home following a battle with pancreatic cancer. According to The AP, he was diagnosed last year. It had gone into remission, but returned in recent months.

As The Los Angeles Times notes, Ginsburg became best known for the catchphrase “Oooh! It's so good!” thanks to his syndicated 90-second segments. In 2007, they were syndicated at 168 TV stations across the country.

He also posted videos on YouTube. His last was posted on Nov. 8 and gave tips on how to carve a turkey for Thanksgiving.

He published 52 cookbooks, selling 8 million copies, but was rarely featured in glossy magazines.

“They're on the Food Network. They're getting a lot of national publicity. And they're getting big money,” he told the AP in 2010. “I was always the hometown guy. I don't want to be the super celebrity. When you need bodyguards, that's not my deal.”

Rachael Ray appeared on his show before she became a national celebrity and issued a statement. “Art Ginsberg was a warm, gregarious man who knew food is more about love and sharing than a fancy ingredient list,” she said. “He was a supportive and loyal friend and I'll miss his smile and warm hugs. This Thanksgiving I'm thankful I knew him.”

Ginsburg Enterprises Incorporated will continue his legacy with Mr. Food Test Kitchen, a syndicated series it began producing without Ginsburg.